CHAPTER 6

"Okay so we've got eggs, Flour, sugar, cocoa powder, cocaine and bacon!" Myla said gesturing to the variety of ingredients she spread out on the kitchen counter from her trip to the grocery store.

"We don't put bacon in brownies, Myles." I sighed picking up the packet of meat and putting it into the fridge.

"Really? That's what you picked out? I said cocaine and you chose to call me out on the bacon?" Myla asked, shaking her head at me. I rolled my eyes at her and proceeded into getting the other equipment needed.

"I guess I've just become immune to your stupidity, besides, you always call baking soda cocaine." I shrugged causing her to stick her tongue out at me.

"I just walked all the way to the store for you, the least you could do is be nice,"
"Uhm you're the one who practically dragged me out of bed for these brownies so the least you could do is stop whining and pass me the electric whisk from the cupboard behind you."
"Well pardon me but it's not like I'm the only one at fault okay? You deprived us of your brownies for five years; and you don't even know the amount of stress Stella made us go through when she had those random pregnancy cravings for it."

I laughed at her and began measuring the ingredients, "I always offered to teach you how to make them,"
"Like as if I haven't tried learning. It just refuses to taste like yours,"
"It doesn't have to taste like mine in order for it to taste good," I told her matter-of-factly.

"Could you maybe just shut up and accept the compliment," Myla huffed causing me to mock offense and throw a handful of flour at her. She gasped and lunged for the bag but was thankfully interrupted by my mum, who walked into the kitchen in search of us.

"Mother dearest your daughter is a witch." Myla groaned, swatting my shoulder with a wooden spoon before waltzing out of the kitchen to ruin the peace of another innocent person.

"Oooooh are you baking?" My mum squealed as she came towards the counter. I grinned up at her and she reached for the spare apron before reappearing by my side. We began making our way through the three step process just like we used to do when I was younger and I knew my mum was reminiscing the moments because her waterline was sparkling with tears.

"I've missed this," I whispered truthfully, throwing her a smile. She smiled back and laughed.

"I remember how much of a nightmare it was trying to teach you the ways of the kitchen. Although I must admit, it was an absolute ordeal trying to so much as teach Brandon how to turn on the stove," I let out a small giggle at the memories of Brandon, mum and I in the kitchen, and then stopped when the same memories returned, except this time I was with Mhamó*, Helia's grandma.

"Do you still remember how Grace used to teach you and Helia how to make all sorts of dishes? It was so sweet of her." My mum sighed, nostalgically.

I bit my lip, of course I remember. Helia's grandma was my everything – even more than my own were. Okay that's unfair on them; My Abuelo and Abuela barely visited America so I couldn't blame them. But Grace – or Mhamó – managed to fill in their spot. I spent most of my time at Helia's house that she soon became like my own grandma (hence why I call her Mhamó (*yes I made Helia's paternal family Irish, so he's half Korean and half Irish! Great combo innit?))

Once the brownies were in the oven and I'd helped clean up the kitchen; I decided to take advantage of this surprisingly warm weather and go out on a walk. I quickly changed from my pajamas and into a pair of yoga pants and Adidas T-shirt before grabbing a hoodie just in case because Gardenia's weather was bipolar.

I quickly ran out the house and made a beeline for the park. I've been in Gardenia for about three weeks and so far I haven't summoned any angry crowds of citizens, instead, everyone's just been pretending like it never happened. It's like they've all moved on. AND IT'S SO UNFAIR. However I shouldn't complain because five years ago that was all I wanted. Actually no, scratch that. All I wanted was for them to believe me, and it amazes me how even after all these years, the truth was never held abide. Instead they decided to bury the entire postulation in the ground and just move on.

I guess the only reason it bugs me so much is because I've failed to do just that. As much as I deny and negate it; I still haven't moved on. At least not entirely.

The thing is, I don't know what I haven't moved on from. Helia – even though I have Mason? Or how quickly my life has changed – even though I've got a new one in Los Angeles?
The question pondered around in my head as I made my way through the woodland entrance of Gardenia Park.

My mood immediately brightened at the sight of all the actual flora in front of me. Nature itself has never failed to reconcile me and Gardenia Park has forever been my happy place. After all, it built up the majority of my childhood.

Gardenia Park, always resplendent in the town's heyday, has always looked absurdly youthful; I've never seen so much as a single withered tree or dead plant here in all my life. Despite the fluster of human traffic and the occasional mud from the rain, the park was always quiet and pure – thanks to its prodigious size and verdure. The main artifact though was the giant Lion King like rock right in the center of the man-made lake. No one really knew how it got there but it's been there for generations on end, and much to my childhood pleasure – accessible by canoe. We were never allowed to swim in the lake. In fact it was apparently illegal to do so because the local council believed that we would 'disrupt the natural habitat of the fauna living in it'. I agreed. Besides, who'd would want to swim in duck faeces infected water? Instead everyone that did want to go for a nice swim went to the beach. Except that happened almost never because it was far too cold to do so.

Speaking of cold, I pulled my hoodie over my head as I noticed the sky darkening. I grinned, typical Gardenia weather. So predictable.

I began making my way over to the playground but got interrupted by a woman's shrieks. I spun around to see what was happening, only to be tackled to the ground by a black blur. Confused, I opened my eyes and was immediately brought to my senses by a repeated tongue – to – face contact.
"Hi boy!" I cooed, as I ruffled the soft hair of the blue-eyed Staffordshire bull terrier. He let out a soft whimper and licked my face again. I chuckled; "I missed you too Duke!"
I got up on my feet just in time to see none other than Mhamó running up to us with a torn leash in her hand.

"Oh dear! I'm ever so sorry, I've never seen him act that way before and – oh. OH! FLORA DEAR IT'S YOU!" She screamed, throwing the leash on the floor and pulling me into her arms. Like a reflex, I wrapped my arms around her and hugged her back. "I can't believe it's you! I do hope my eyes aren't deceiving me. Dear God LOOK AT YOU!"

Duke barked.

I laughed as I slowly pulled away from her grasp and squatted down to Duke's level. "Hey Mhamó!"

"Don't you 'hey Mhamó' me! How dare you run off to L.A without me you wretched child, just leaving me here and hogging up all the sun for yourself!" The old woman huffed, her eyes dancing with amusement and happiness.

I laughed again; "Sorry, but I didn't think me kidnapping their eighty year old grandma would get me in the McGregor's good books."

"Nonsense! And you think running away to another state would?"
"I would like to think so?"
"ABSOLUTELY NOT!"

I winced, for an eighty year old woman, Mhamó sure had a voice.

"Could you blame me though?" I whispered, standing up straight again. Her eyes softened and she let out a sad sigh.

"I could never blame you Acushla," She exhaled, giving my hand a squeeze. Acushla. The name itself was enough to bring tears to my eyes. It was the nickname she'd given me when I was much younger, she said it was because I was the 'pulse' keeping her alive. And dear God did that make me cry. "Of course, I still haven't forgiven you for just leaving without a goodbye,"
I winced; I knew she'd remember that. I mentally slapped myself for it.

"I wanted to, but I couldn't bring myself to drive over to your house and risk seeing the hatred in his eyes. Especially after how angry he had been the last time I attempted to do so."
She threw me a small smile before guiding me to a park bench. It was then that I knew I was about to get the biggest lecture of my life.

Once we were comfortably sitting on the wooden bench, I held my breath and waited for tirade to begin. But it never did. Instead I turned to look at her and found her staring at the sky above.
"Mhamó?" I hinted. She blinked and shifted in her position.

"I have to say Acushla, I'm absolutely pissed off." I winced; Mhamó has always been a 'no-filter' kind of person, "I never expected you to run away when things got bad."

"I didn't run away when things got bad! I ran away when things didn't get better." I said, defending myself. She rolled her eyes at me.

"Tell me this Flora, did you try your very best to make things right?"
I opened my mouth to answer but then shut it. Did I?

…

"Helia please, just listen to me."
"I don't need to listen to your lies anymore, Flora. I've heard enough."
"Helia please. Don't be like this. You can't honestly-"
"Don't even dare talk about honesty." He growled. I bit my lip. I had no reason to feel guilty, but having him look at me with that much anger in his eyes made me question every single thing I'd ever done.

"Why are you acting like this?! I haven't done anything wrong and I can't believe –"
"You know what I can't believe Flora?" I blinked, I hated how he kept cutting me off but I didn't say anything, instead I shook my head and he let out a dark chuckle. One that erupted goosebumps on my skin, "I can't believe I wasted six years of my life loving someone as cold blooded and vile as you. I'm done listening to your crap."
"How can you be done when you haven't even started?"

"Funny you say that because right now I wish that was how our relationship went." He snapped before shutting the car door close and revving up the engine. Not thinking before I acted, I walked to the front of his car and stood there with my hands across my chest. I didn't care that I was getting drenched in the rain, if he was going to be stubborn then so was I.

He rolled down the window and I opened my mouth to speak but once again, he cut me off.

"Move out of my way Flora."

"I'm not going to listen to you until you listen to me," I scowled, not moving an inch. He rolled his eyes.

"You know, I'm kind of thankful about Cameroon. If it wasn't for him, I'd be married to you right now – and I can't even begin to express how horrifying that sounds right now. I'm so glad we're done." He grinned, but the anger in his eyes never left.
I gasped. In all my life of knowing Helia, I never would have expected him to say something so sadistic and wounding.

"You don't mean that," I said, biting my lip to prevent me from bursting into tears right there in the middle of his neighborhood.

"I've never meant anything more in my life," He spat before reversing and driving around me, not even sparing me a second glance when his tyres hit a porthole and bombarded me with rainwater. I watched in consternation as he speeded of down the road and out of sight, my eyes refusing to look away. Every cell in my body felt the eyes of the audience we just created and all I could think about was those last words. 'I've never meant anything more in my life'

Those words stung.

…

"Yes Mhamó, I think I did."

Shock flashed her eyes but was quickly replaced by pain. That was not the answer she was expecting and she didn't try to hide it. She knew I was right – she was there. And she was the only one that cared.

"Oh. Well, I uh…okay, answer this. Did you make things better by moving away?"
It was a rhetorical question; I knew it was. But I still felt the need to answer it.

"Actually, yes. I did. I got a great job, in a great city and met a great guy, and as for Helia; he's getting married to someone he loves in less than a week. You must be proud." I forced a smile.

Mhamó scoffed; "I've always been proud of my Helia, always until now. Now I can't even look him in the eye without feeling disgusted," She let out a choked laugh before saline tears slid down her wrinkled cheeks. "Noah and I tried everything we could to talk some sense into him. To talk some sense into his dad, but in the end Roland just gave up. I never raised my son to pull something like it but I guess there's only so much you can do,"
I reached for her hand and gave it a gentle squeeze before leaning my head on her bony shoulder. "What are you talking about Mhamó?"
"Roland. He hasn't spoken to Helia ever since he told us he was engaged to Krystal."

I quickly sat upright and stared at her in shock. It's been months, apparently, since Helia and Krystal got engaged. "But, why doesn't Roland approve of their marriage?" A tiny spark of hope lit inside of me as the thought of Roland and Adriana finally believing the truth.
"Because Krystal is a witch."
And just like that, the tiny flame disappeared. I let out a tiny laugh to hide my disappointment; "Tell me about it." But it apparently didn't work.
"I'm really sorry Acushla, I tried talking some sense into them all. You'd think with me being the oldest in the house they'd listen to me, but no. they wouldn't hear of it. But, they'll come round eventually,"

I gulped, noticing the sparkle in her eye but brushed it aside and regarded it as just a leftover tear.

"It's been five years now, if they haven't come round yet, they never will."
"Never is a strong word my dear."
"Yes, which is why I used it."
Mhamó sighed. "You're just as stubborn."
"Sorry, it's just I'm tired of living on this false hope, you know? When I first moved to L.A I'd make myself believe that I'd be expecting a phone call from home with everyone apologizing for jumping to conclusions. With him apologizing. That call never came. Instead I find out only a few days ago that while I was beating myself up for something I never did, the love of my life had moved on to someone else. I just don't want to hope for the past anymore, especially when my future looks so good."

Mhamó smirked; "So this future huh, what is he like?"
I gasped, this woman and her dirty mind!
"No. I'm not thinking of marrying Mason just yet," I laughed…"Or ever"; A tiny part of me wanted to add on. But I didn't want to steer the conversation into yet another sad relationship.

Mhamó didn't say anything for a while, and I didn't push her. I didn't know what to say anymore, but I could practically hear the wheels turning in her head.

"Do you remember what I told you and Helia the week before your wedding?"

I groaned; "Mhamó could we not talk about this anymore?"
"Do you remember it? Yes or no?"

I sighed and closed my eyes, trying to recap what she could possibly be talking about. She waited patiently as I raked around in my head, trying to pull together a logical memory. But nothing came.

I shook my head, "No, I don't"
She frowned and turned to look at Duke. "Never mind then, we better get going then. It's starting to drizzle. Do you mind walking me to my car?"
Of course I didn't. I whistled for Duke to come over to us from where he was sitting by the lake and he quickly ran up behind us as we made our way to the park exit.

"Should I be offended that you've been in Gardenia for a little over two weeks and didn't even come by to say hello?"
I laughed; "Of course not. It just took me a while to muster up the courage to do so."

We had just reached the carpark when it started raining heavily.

"Oh dear!" Mhamó yelled over the thunder, "Flora I'm afraid you're going to have to drive me home!"
"Don't worry Mhamó, pass me the keys." She threw them over to me and I quickly helped her get into the car before opening the back door for Duke to jump in. Mhamó wasn't allowed to drive in the rain, strict instructions from Roland. The last time she drove in the rain we found her in a ditch.

"Thank you dear, I didn't expect it to rain today,"
I knew she was lying, she always tried her best to sneak in a little drive in the rain. I'm just glad I managed to interrupt today because the sky was really letting loose and even I was finding it difficult to see.

Once I had parked in the McGregor's driveway, I got out of the car and quickly ran over to help her out too. I helped her open the garage door and led Duke to his water bowl. It's funny how even after five years, I still knew the ropes of things.

"Come on in, dear. Mi casa is your casa!" She winked and I laughed at her attempt of Spanish.

Just as I was about to decline the offer, my phone started ringing and I quickly answered the call, only to be greeted by a loud scream in the ear.

"FLORAAAA THE BROWNIES ARE BURNT!" Myla screeched.

I groaned; "You were supposed to keep an eye on them!"
"No I wasn't! Mum was! NOW WHAT DO WE DO!?"
"Chill Myles, I'll make another batch later, they're just brownies."
"Did I hear you say brownies?" Mhamó squealed, reappearing by my side.

"Uhh See you in a bit Myles." I ended the call and stuffed my phone back in my pocket.

"I should get going," I said taking a step away from the door.

"Oh nonsense, you're coming in and making me those heavenly brownies of yours."
"Uh I really should get going."
"Don't be silly Flora, it's practically storming outside,"
I turned to look out the garage door and she was right. There was even a flash of lightning. I mentally cursed.

"That's okay, I'll just call Myla to come pick me –"But Mhamó wasn't listening, she had already started making her way inside. I groaned, there was no point in objecting anymore, the woman would kill me. Instead I obediently followed her into the kitchen, silently praying the rest of the McGregor's weren't home. I let out a sigh of relief when I saw the kitchen was empty. Thank you God.

"So. Where do we begin?" Mhamó asked as she reached for the two aprons hung on the hook on the pantry door. I took the black one from her and then hesitated when I saw a sly smirk form on her lips.

"What?"
"Oh nothing,"She opened the door to the pantry and led me in. "You're the chef." She winked. I grinned at her and started collecting all the ingredients needed for the brownies.

We were pouring the batter into the cake pan when the front door opened, startling us both. I looked up to see both Adriana and Helia standing gob smacked in the corridor.

"Flora…?" Adriana whispered, slowly walking into kitchen. Her eyes were wide and damp and I swear to God she looked like she was about to cry. She turned to look at Helia who was standing in the same position, his muscles visibly tensed, staring at the bowl in front of me. I mentally swore. Kill me now.

I cleared my throat and looked at Mhamó for help.

She smiled at me and then turned to her daughter-in-law; "I met Flora at the park! Well actually Duke did, and she drove me home because it started raining –"
"ARE THOSE FLORA'S BROWNIES?!" I heard a deep voice yell from behind me. We all turned to look as the backdoor opened and in walked none other than Noah McGregor – Helia's older brother. He grinned at me and I smiled back at him and let him envelope me into a huge bear hug. "Boy have I missed you." He laughed, ruffling my hair causing me to swat his hand away and stick my tongue out at him.

"I definitely did not miss you." I huffed and he laughed again, pinched my cheek before reaching over and dipping his finger in the cake batter.

"NOAH!" Mhamó, Adriana and I screamed simultaneously causing him to jump and flash his brother a 'holy shit' look. I winced and I could immediately feel the atmosphere grow uncomfortable. This wasn't how our first time meeting was supposed to go. There was supposed to be screaming and arguing. Instead I was making brownies and chorusing with them. Noah put his finger in his mouth and moaned; "Just like the old times! It's good to have you back Flo."

I saw a flash of emotion across his eyes but he quickly looked away. I exhaled; it was like the old times. And that was on a whole new level of pain.

I turned to look at where Adriana and Helia was standing and saw the look of pain flash through them too and I physically winced.

"Uh, I should probably leave now." I said quickly, picking up the cake pan and carefully placing it into the oven.

"Don't be ridiculous Acushla, you just got here."
I heard Adriana gasp and I looked up to see Helia and Noah…shiver?
"Acushla," Helia muttered, "Haven't heard that in a while."
"Well now, isn't that a shame?" Mhamó smiled through gritted teeth before reaching for my face and wiping the flour smear off my nose.

Whoa Mhamó is SHADYYYY.

"Uhm, no I should go. It's stopped raining."
"Don't be –"
"OH MY GOD!" I gasped, staring at my reflection on the fridge door. Panic rose like bile in my body and I felt like I was going to throw up. I looked down at the apron wrapped around my body and closed my eyes before quickly untying the dreaded thing. I cannot believe this woman!
I stared at the black apron in my eyes as realization struck. Adriana, Helia and Noah had been looking at my apron the whole time! I flipped it around slowly, knowing just what I was about to see. The apron was a joke gift Mhamó and Adriana had got me for my sixteenth birthday. It was a black, mango patterned apron with the words "IT TAKES TWO TO MANGO" above a small picture of Helia and I dancing at our prom. At the time it was funny, now it was horrifying.

I turned to glare at the wicked woman but she just smiled innocently at me. "What? You chose it."
"I didn't know this still existed!" I lamented, biting my cheek because I knew well and clear that I was probably crimson red by now. Noah burst out laughing and had to lean on the fridge to stop himself from doubling over. Adriana was chewing on her lip and looking at her shoes in attempt to hide her grin. Mhamó was standing there with her shoulders back and a proud smile on her face. That witch.

I turned to look at Helia who had his eyes closed shut and his ears were turning bright pink. I cleared my throat and threw the problematic apron on the counter. "I'll be leaving now." I said with finality in my voice. I was so embarrassed! If Krystal was there, I'd have been dead by now.

"Oh, I'm sorry dear, c'mhere," Mhamó pulled me into a hug and I quickly hugged her back before waving to Adriana, flicking Noah – who still hadn't stopped laugh – and well, avoided eye contact with Helia.

Just as I was making it to the door, "Helia why don't you walk her out."
OH MY GOD MHAMO! I picked up my pace but apparently the devil himself was throwing bucket tones of shade because as soon as I pulled the door open –

"FLORA?!" Krystal screeched.

OH WONDERFUL!

I quickly side stepped her and ran out the door, not caring that the rain had definitely not stopped.

Only till I had reached a safe distance away from the McGregor's house, and was certain that I wasn't being chased by Krystal, did I slow down. If she walked into the house only a minute earlier, she'd have seen me wearing that apron. And things would have become nasty real quick.

As I was making my way home I couldn't get rid of Mhamó's words in my head. A week before my wedding? What did she tell Helia and me that she felt the need to bring up five years later?

I was still thinking about it when I got home. There was no one in the sitting room so I quietly made my way up to my room and threw myself on my desk chair. A week before my wedding?

I reached for the calendar that was sitting on the shelf and flicked through the months. Thankfully no one had bothered to replace it with the current years.

I continued to flip through the months when I landed on May 2nd. The tiny square was circled repeatedly in red and I shivered. What was supposed to be our wedding day.

I shook my head and flipped the page back to April. The week before. I stared at the blank page in confusion, biting on my thumbnail, until it struck me.

"Mhamó's birthday!" I gasped, mentally slapping myself for forgetting. Then I furrowed my brows together. What did she say on her birthday?

I stood up from my desk and began pacing my room. It had to be something relating to the conversation we were having at the park.

Something about me getting married to Mason?
Then I froze.

Oh dear God.

I threw myself onto my bed and stared up at the ceiling.

Oh DEAR GOD.

…

"I cannot believe you're seventy five now!" I squealed, hugging her again.

"I know right, aren't you old." Helia teased, throwing her a wink.

"Well, the years had to keep on adding until the big day came," Mhamó smiled, her eyes sparkling.

I looked up at Helia and he just gave me the same confused look. What big day?
"What big day?" Helia asked, tilting his head into his 'thinking face'.

"Don't be silly! THE big day! Ever since you were kids, I've pushed myself every year and I told myself I will continue to do so until I see the both of you get married. At least now I don't have to wait long."
"Mhamó that's a horrible thing to say!" I bellowed. "Are you saying once we get married, you're just going to give up?"
Helia's eyes widened and his face paled.

"Of course not!" We both let out a sigh of relief, "What I mean is that I refused myself to, you know, go, before I saw you two get married…to each other. And of course there's Brandon and Stella too."
I looked up at Helia and blushed when I saw him already looking at me.

"Basically, I've waited for this day all your life." Mhamó winked causing Helia and I to laugh.

…

Oh dear God…